SOP Sample for MS Finance in USA - Final Year Student

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Financial professionals in the modern age play an important role in shaping the global economy and the future direction it will take. As I approach the end of my undergraduate education and consider my future goals, it is clear that pursuing a master's degree in finance would be the wisest choice. My interest in finance stems from a variety of factors. I have always had natural talents with numbers and analysis, and the field of finance thus naturally suits me. Professionals in this dynamic industry are limited only by their own creativity and analytical skills, yet, as the recent subprime crisis and Eurozone debt crisis have shown, this creativity must be tempered with foresight and a sound ethical foundation. The prospect of working in this industry on an international scale excites me greatly, and to achieve this goal I am applying to your master's program.

Growing up, I spent a lot of time studying about stock markets and trying to understand different parts of it. There was always a fascination in me towards share markets and that's the reason I took up Commerce as a field of study in my undergraduate in university. But I always wanted to try and learn something new. I joined a Course on Investment Banking, and started to learn basics about the Stock markets and the Risks associated with it. I have gained a lot of knowledge on how the Trade life cycle works across the industry.

After my graduation I decided to explore it further and I started working as an Operations Analyst in [COMPANY]. I was a part of APAC Settlement Process project where I was a part of collaborating with trading desk/onshore team for borrows and daily settlements. Also, I was acting as a single point of contact for the entire business line for Japan Fixed Income and Prime Brokerage and updating the checklist whenever the task is completed. I was proven ability to manage confidential financial documents, possess great product knowledge, conduct financial analysis. I also worked on pre matching activity for all the markets. This gave me an opportunity to learn tons of new things that I did not know before.

My real time work experience in [COMPANY] has made me grow curious about understanding the immensity in creative investment strategies and its profound influence it can have on every known industry. I have learnt that in the near future professionals of every kind need to be equipped with the techniques, strategies and models of collating, analysing and synthesizing data in order to solve problems and make decisions. Therefore, a Master's degree in Finance is sure to give my career a big boost.

As a commerce undergraduate, I believe I have a great advantage and greatest scope in understanding the intricacies of markets and applying the concepts in real time. This is because I have undergone the basic courses like Investment Banking, Derivatives Market, Risk Management etc., and I believe they will go a long way in applying them to business contexts through Master's in Finance. After I have resolved to study Master's in Finance, I started searching for the best country and the best institutions. As for the best country, honestly speaking, it was not a tough task for me because the USA is at the forefront in offering Finance courses. US universities design curriculum based on the industry needs. Students from across the world contribute to the learning and research processes and so, it is a hub of creative faculties, the result of which is the growth of corporate giants.

When it comes to choosing the universities, the main reason behind choosing your esteemed university is that for pursuing my graduate studies is the way the curriculum is designed and the university's stress on a practical and experienced approach to learning. The industrial concentration and the variety offered in the curriculum will help me master the skill. The most appealing part of the curriculum is the incorporation of leading cooperates and guiding the students.

Coming to my educational and career goals, I am very clear and single-minded towards the next ten years of my career. A Master's degree in Finance provides me an in-depth idea of practical approaches in aiding managerial decision-making and research skills to enable me to develop an expertise in the core areas of financial strategies and global corporate financial operations. I would like to probe specific problem areas such as the application of quantitative analysis to understand various issues in global finance and improving decision-making and effect of increase in global communications on international finance decisions. My interests are Capital and Derivative markets, Corporate Finance, International Capital Budgeting, and Foreign Exchange Markets. During my time at the University, I will try and seek the maximum of what the university has to offer and build my skill to be industry ready.

After my graduate studies, I see myself working for any organization full time as a Financial Analyst to build models for budgeting and forecasting risks for four to five years, understanding the market and the field relevantly. I want to obtain a rigorous, demanding and rewarding position in this profession. I hope to gain practical corporate experience in areas such as capital management mergers and acquisitions, risk management, pricing and sales strategies for stability and maximum returns on capital. To this end, I would also like to gain knowledge in the fields of investment analysis, financial planning, strategic finance, international finance and global financial markets during my postgraduate studies in the USA.

Given an opportunity to study in your University I assure you that I have the zeal to excel in this field. I consider myself to be a potential candidate for the course. I hope that my academic achievements, passion for the subject, and test scores will be considered in favour of my admission to the University.

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